Importance of the Korean War

Question 1

What were the human costs of the Korean War?

Answer 1

• The Korean War caused extremely high casualties, with around 40,000 US soldiers killed and over 100,000 wounded.
• South Korea lost over 1.2 million people, including over 200,000 soldiers killed and more than 400,000 wounded.
• North Korea suffered an estimated 600,000 military deaths, with additional large numbers of civilians missing or killed.
• China lost over 500,000 soldiers, while Britain had 1,078 killed and 2,674 wounded; exact figures for some countries remain unknown due to poor record-keeping.

Question 2

What impact did the Korean War have on the Cold War?

Answer 2

• The war marked the first time the USA and USSR-backed sides fought directly in a military conflict, escalating Cold War tensions.
• The USA increased military spending dramatically, with the war costing $30 billion in 1953 — equal to over $341 billion today.
• The US signed new anti-communist alliances, like the ANZUS Pact with Australia and New Zealand in 1951.
• America began heavily funding other anti-communist conflicts, such as giving $3 billion to France in Vietnam by 1954 and supplying 80% of their military equipment.

Question 3

How did the Korean War lead to a global weapons build-up?

Answer 3

-During the war, the USA increased military spending massively, with $48 billion spent in 1951 and $60 billion by 1952.
-The US Army grew by 50%, reaching 3.5 million soldiers, while hundreds of air and naval bases were set up worldwide.
- The USSR also expanded its forces and focused heavily on developing intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and nuclear weapons.
- By the late 1950s, both superpowers had around 20%–25% of their armed forces stationed overseas, showing a shift to globalised military readiness.

Question 4

Why is it difficult to say who won the Korean War?

Answer 4

• The war ended in a military stalemate with no peace treaty, and Korea remained divided at the 38th parallel.
• Although South Korea was saved from communism, the North remained under communist control, so neither side fully achieved its aim.
• The US contained communism but failed to reunite Korea and suffered nearly 40,000 deaths in the process.
• The USSR and China gained a closer relationship, but China also suffered huge military casualties (over 500,000) and remained a junior partner to the USSR.

Question 5

What were the USA’s gains and losses in the Korean War?

Answer 5

-The USA successfully defended South Korea and upheld the Truman Doctrine by containing the spread of communism.
- It proved its global military reach and strengthened ties with allies such as South Korea, Japan, and Australia.
However:
- The war cost the USA billions of dollars, caused high casualties, and led to accusations of failing to win or fully reunite Korea.
- The war increased Cold War tensions, leading to greater arms spending and future military commitments worldwide.

Question 6

How did China and the USSR benefit or suffer from the war?

Answer 6

• China proved itself as a military power by holding off US-led UN forces, but lost over 500,000 troops, including Mao’s own son.
• China’s involvement improved its relationship with the USSR, but also created long-term hostility with the West.
• The USSR gained influence in Asia and avoided direct confrontation by letting China take the lead in the fighting.
• However, the war deepened Cold War divisions, and the USSR faced criticism for not intervening directly to help North Korea more.